# Poll: Is it ok for rock musicians to wear shorts onstage? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 7, 2014, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002 "2014-08-07T02:54:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/41 "2014-08-08T01:38:41Z")
Jimmy Buffett not only performs in shorts… he is usually barefoot. [http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2012/04/jimmy\_buffett\_the\_woodlands\_ju.php](http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2012/04/jimmy_buffett_the_woodlands_ju.php) ---
**Author:** ![Achren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@Achren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achren)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/42 "2014-08-08T01:49:12Z")
I’m not there for fashion, I’m there for music. They can wear what they like. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/43 "2014-08-08T02:22:15Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Jimmy Buffett not only performs in shorts… he is usually barefoot. > > [http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2012/04/jimmy\_buffett\_the\_woodlands\_ju.php](http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2012/04/jimmy_buffett_the_woodlands_ju.php) He blew out his flip flop. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/44 "2014-08-08T02:55:52Z")
Stepped on a pop top ---
**Author:** ![Archeonomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Archeonomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archeonomist)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/45 "2014-08-08T07:01:32Z")
> [@MrSquishy](#): > > Well, I guess you could try asking somebody who has worn shorts. I have, and it does. It would be even more cooling to just go naked, but that is not acceptable either 😛 ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/46 "2014-08-08T08:58:06Z")
Shorts are OK. Cycling shorts, though, are right out. Yes, Axl, I’m looking at you! ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/47 "2014-08-08T11:33:18Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > When it comes to rock and roll musicians, I am just glad their genitals are covered, so yeah, shorts should be fine. God, we are so different. I’d be glad to see lots of genitals of rock musicians! Hubba Hubba. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/48 "2014-08-08T13:39:13Z")
What would it matter if it weren’t OK? Deliberately doing things that aren’t OK is part of the essence of rock. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/49 "2014-08-08T15:52:39Z")
I _am_ a rock musician, and if it’s hot enough I _do_ wear shorts on stage. Anyone who objects can kiss my shorts-wearing arse. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/50 "2014-08-08T16:31:12Z")
What the hell kind of question is this? Who decides what’s ok for rock musicians to wear onstage?" ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/51 "2014-08-08T17:03:20Z")
Ain’t nothin’ wrong with jorts on guys. Women wear shorts in the summertime, why can’t guys? ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/52 "2014-08-08T17:31:13Z")
A Don doesn’t wear shorts. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/53 "2014-08-08T21:35:01Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > **even sven** is under the impression that hot areas of the US are exactly the same as arid areas of the Middle East & Africa. She thinks that people in hot \*humid \*climates would be more comfortable wearing long robes. Don’t bother convincing her otherwise. She also has lots of opinions about what sartorial choices makes one look like a grown up or not. She mentions it a _lot_ and has kinda become her thing. Just a head’s up. As to the OP… it’s rock and roll, man, wear whatever the hell you feel like. If Angus can still be badass in a school boy’s uniform, I’m sure you’ll work it. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/54 "2014-08-08T22:05:34Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > She also has lots of opinions about what sartorial choices makes one look like a grown up or not. She mentions it a _lot_ and has kinda become her thing. Just a head’s up. Hoo-boy just you wait till I get to the polo shirt thread! ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/55 "2014-08-08T22:37:56Z")
Heh. I’ll put it on my calendar. ---
**Author:** ![Lemmytheseal2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/82dd89/32.png) [@Lemmytheseal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemmytheseal2)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/56 "2014-08-08T23:00:35Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > Hoo-boy just you wait till I get to the polo shirt thread! With [Bad Religion](http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrB8pmJVOVTm2cAKFiJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTIzcDlyZ284BHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZANlZDQ1OWFlZWRiM2JlMjFlYjc4NzUwY2RmMDU5NWU5OQRncG9zAzM2BGl0A2Jpbmc-?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3D%2522Bad%2BREligion%2522%2B%2522live%2522%26ei%3Dutf-8%26y%3DSearch%26fr%3Dsfp-img%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D36&w=600&h=400&imgurl=www.adnsound.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FBadReligion-Live-03.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adnsound.com%2Fbad-religion-live-bataclan-juin-2010-9222&size=59.7KB&name=%3Cb%3EBadReligion+Live%3C%2Fb%3E+03+150x150+%3Cb%3EBad+Religion+Live%3C%2Fb%3E+Bataclan+Juin+2010&p=%22Bad+REligion%22+%22live%22&oid=ed459aeedb3be21eb78750cdf0595e99&fr2=&fr=sfp-img&tt=%3Cb%3EBadReligion+Live%3C%2Fb%3E+03+150x150+%3Cb%3EBad+Religion+Live%3C%2Fb%3E+Bataclan+Juin+2010&b=0&ni=112&no=36&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=12130bdlk&sigb=13rl9dfb0&sigi=11rr8lmdn&sigt=12etlog52&sign=12etlog52&.crumb=tv7x6azI1y4&fr=sfp-img), you [sometimes](http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrB8o7TVOVTtzkAfeOJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTI0MWVhcXJiBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZANkNzI0NjkyOTJjYmViMWQyYThhNGE4MGNhZjJiYzE0YwRncG9zAzEyNARpdANiaW5n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3D%2522Bad%2BREligion%2522%2B%2522live%2522%26ei%3Dutf-8%26y%3DSearch%26fr%3Dsfp-img%26spos%3D24%26nost%3D1%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D124&w=530&h=350&imgurl=cdn2-b.examiner.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fimage_content_width%2Fhash%2Fb8%2F6b%2Fb86b8abd1db93a5eed0cfd08133da498.png%3Fitok%3DtFAVKCqj&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.examiner.com%2Fslideshow%2Flinkin-park-offspring-bad-religion-live-concert&size=479.3KB&name=Linkin+Park%2C+Offspring+%26+%3Cb%3EBad+Religion+-+Live%3C%2Fb%3E+in+Concert&p=%22Bad+REligion%22+%22live%22&oid=d72469292cbeb1d2a8a4a80caf2bc14c&fr2=&fr=sfp-img&tt=Linkin+Park%2C+Offspring+%26+%3Cb%3EBad+Religion+-+Live%3C%2Fb%3E+in+Concert&b=119&ni=112&no=124&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=12hiolsh6&sigb=14bols0kg&sigi=140ds6mp6&sigt=11uq89qcv&sign=11uq89qcv&.crumb=tv7x6azI1y4&fr=sfp-img) get [both](http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrB8o7TVOVTtzkAeOOJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTI0bDRjc25hBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZAMyN2Q2NmU5YzNjOGFhN2I2MDIxNTliMDc5MzgyNzc0MARncG9zAzExOQRpdANiaW5n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3D%2522Bad%2BREligion%2522%2B%2522live%2522%26ei%3Dutf-8%26y%3DSearch%26fr%3Dsfp-img%26spos%3D24%26nost%3D1%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D119&w=500&h=333&imgurl=farm2.staticflickr.com%2F1268%2F4698453083_4fe6dd30e6_z.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fcristianophoto%2F4698453083%2F&size=112.8KB&name=%3Cb%3EBad+Religion+live%3C%2Fb%3E+2010-06-13&p=%22Bad+REligion%22+%22live%22&oid=27d66e9c3c8aa7b602159b0793827740&fr2=&fr=sfp-img&tt=%3Cb%3EBad+Religion+live%3C%2Fb%3E+2010-06-13&b=119&ni=112&no=119&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11nptnohb&sigb=14bt5nu7i&sigi=11n8lp721&sigt=113ip83ov&sign=113ip83ov&.crumb=tv7x6azI1y4&fr=sfp-img). ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/57 "2014-08-09T00:42:05Z")
> [@The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](#): > > It’s… okay. I don’t really LIKE it, but I’d never demand a refund or anything. It would be a minor detraction at best. But it looks kinda silly, and if you are charging money to watch you perform, you should put some effort into your stage presence. It doesn’t have to be nice;\*\* if you are a sloppy punk band, I don’t expect you to look nice, but you are just going to look goofy up there in shorts\*\*. Bolding mine. Tell that to [Henry Rollins](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BBbBVq0l0Is/TBSiB-4IcuI/AAAAAAAAAEY/0AoF2mNspQs/s1600/henry_rollins_of_black_flag_live.jpg). Dude’s been wearing the same shorts since the 80s. [Barney Greenway](http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l65hd76NOp1qcom58o1_400.jpg), of Napalm Death, [seems to agree](http://s484.photobucket.com/user/Stampkase/media/Nuno%202/barneygreenwaynapalmdeath.jpg.html). ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/58 "2014-08-09T01:28:33Z")
**even sven** , I swear you must have the heat tolerance of a lava rock. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/59 "2014-08-09T01:39:12Z")
I don’t really care either way; I just like the idea of having dictatorial control over rock musicians (by the Power of the Poll).😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Natural](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@Mr.Natural](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Natural)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002/60 "2014-08-09T15:17:17Z")
I appreciate the participation and comments. Keep em coming. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-it-ok-for-rock-musicians-to-wear-shorts-onstage/695002.md?page=4)